President Museveni has urged all Ugandans—particularly youth and skilled workers in urban areas—to take an active role in wealth creation by engaging in productive economic activities as owners, trainees, or workers.
Accompanied by First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, the President emphasized during his visit to Bakitende Expert Garage in Wakaliga-Nateete, Rubaga Division, that poverty is a personal challenge that must be fought through hard work and enterprise.
“No one should remain idle or dependent. Poverty is an individual problem that can only be solved by engaging in productive sectors,” the President said.
The visit marked the beginning of a five-day Parish Development Model (PDM) Presidential assessment tour in Kampala aimed at mobilizing urban communities around government wealth creation initiatives.
“I want every Ugandan to be part of wealth creation—whether as a commercial farmer, artisan, industrialist, or service provider,” President Museveni said.
He emphasized that the path to ending underdevelopment lies in citizens becoming owners, workers, or trainees in the economy.
“Even on a small piece of land, you can make money if you plan properly and work with ekibaro (calculation). I have been teaching this in rural areas, and the same principle applies here,” Museveni added.
The President highlighted trades such as carpentry, shoemaking, tailoring, and welding as critical drivers of wealth. He encouraged artisans to organize themselves into cooperatives and grow their businesses.
“You are producing goods like shoes, sweaters, metal doors—that’s production, and production is wealth. If you don’t own the business, then be a skilled worker in it,” he noted.
Museveni also emphasized the role of the service sector—especially garages, catering services, and spare parts suppliers—as essential in supporting economic productivity.
“In the service sector, you may not be creating new products, but you’re maintaining what keeps the economy moving,” he said.
During the visit, the President pledged government support to Kampala-based garages and service providers through the provision of equipment and funding.
He revealed plans to work with local leaders to distribute breakdown trucks, tyre inflators, welding machines, and loaders efficiently.
“Some equipment like breakdown trucks can be shared at parish or sub-county level, but others like inflators must be per garage to ensure effectiveness. We shall start here in Kampala and scale to other cities—but it must be organized,” Museveni said.
The President also announced a Shs20 million support package per sub-county for food suppliers and spare parts dealers, urging recipients to form cooperatives for sustainable impact.
“If given to individuals, the money will have little effect. Form groups and cooperatives for better results,” he said.
He pledged that government would secure land for garages and vocational training centres to ensure a permanent workspace for skilled workers.
Museveni acknowledged that previous efforts to support garages and boda boda riders had not yielded intended results due to poor follow-up.
“I had given support before, but I’m not sure how it ended. I thought the work was being done. This time, my State House team will closely monitor implementation,” he said.
The President also criticized opposition leaders in Kampala for failing to advocate for government services on behalf of their constituents.
Referencing complaints from traders in Busega Market about the poor road from the Northern Bypass, he said:
“I thought the Northern Bypass was fully operational. But if you elect leaders who don’t speak to me, how will I know what’s not working?”
He blamed political divisions for undermining access to development programs like the Parish Development Model.
“You’re not suffering because government programs aren’t there. You’re suffering because politics is blinding you to the opportunities. Elect NRM leaders who will work with us,” Museveni urged.
He added: “If a SACCO in Rubaga has 240 members, how can we fail to support that? Don’t sabotage yourselves out of ignorance. Don’t reject development because of politics.”
Earlier, President Museveni was received by leaders of Bakitende Expert Garage, which supports 120 members, including 65 under training. The garage was founded after a group of mechanics were evicted from Kisenyi and came together to form a unified workshop.
Garage chairman Mr. Muhamood Sonko thanked the President for the visit and support, noting that their biggest challenge remains lack of equipment.
“We have trained 65 youths, and 20 of them are now experts. We don’t chase them after training—as long as they are disciplined, they stay with us,” Sonko said.
“But we struggle with limited machines. Sometimes one person works while others wait.”
He appealed for car carriers, toolboxes, and vocational training machines, noting that over 400 garages operate within the parish.
“If we get support, it will ripple across the entire division,” Sonko said.
LC1 Chairperson Steven Sekawungu also praised the President for his leadership, citing the country’s peace and progress compared to past regimes.
“You have worked hard for this country. Those of us who lived through previous governments know the difference,” Sekawungu said.
Also present were Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua; Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda; State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara; KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki; and Hon. Rosemary Nansubuga Sseninde, Director of Mobilisation at the NRM Secretariat.
